Korsch, Karl (1886–1961)

German Marxist philosopher. In Marxism and Philosophy 1923 he argued against the dialectical materialism of Friedrich Engels. Always critical of the Soviet variety of Marxism, Korsch also criticized, in Karl Marx 1938, the early, or ‘Hegelian’, Marx of Theodor Adorno and Herbert Marcuse. Korsch believed that the well-being of theory and practice depended on the continued reinterpretation of Marxism. His ‘ultra-leftism’ led to his expulsion from the Communist Party 1926.

He studied at the University of Jena and taught philosophy there until the Nazis came to power, when he emigrated to the USA. He returned to Europe 1950 and lectured in Germany and Switzerland.